Refrigerator



Nov. 1, 1932. F. H. OSBORNE REFR IGERATOR Filed Oct. 13. 1950 PatentedNov. 1, 1932 UNITED STATES PAT ENT" OFFICE FRED H. OSBORNE, OF CHICAGO,ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIIIGCN'MIEINIDS, '10

.' GRIGSBY-GRUNOW COMPANY A CORBQ'RATTON OF ILLINOIS REFRIGERATORApplication filed October 13, 1930. Serial No. 488,390.

This invention relates to refrigerators, and particularly totheautomatic control of the temperature thereof. In mechanical refrigeration units it is customary to have the operating mechanismautomatically controlled in accordance with the temperature of theevaporator or refrigerating compartment. Thus, in householdrefrigerators,it is customary to have a volatile substance, such asliquid sulm phur-dioxidein a cartridge communicating with a sylphonbellows, or suitable expansible chamber. The variation in temperatureof, the evaporator results in a variation of pressure of thesulphur-dioxide within the cartridge and results in a movement of thebellows or chamber wall; By suitable mechanism this movement is adaptedto control the source of power and thus control the refrigeratingmechanism. As a rule, such cartridges are soldered or clamped directlyagainst a portion of the evaporator, or are disposed in therefrigerating chamber, oomletely removed from the evaporator.

The first disposition of the cartridge against the evaporator isobjectionable for the. reason that, if the thermostatic control is gadjusted for low temperature, it frequently occurs that therefrigerating compartment, wherein food and similar materials arestored, has its temperature reduced to, or below, freezing. If thesecond disposition of the cartridge is chosen, excessive and unnecessaryoperation of the mechanism will result'when the refrigerator door isfrequently opened.

An object of this invention is to devise a mounting for the cartridge,so that the resulting temperature control will be exercised by both theevaporator and refrigerating compartment in substantial degrees. Anadditional object is to devise amounting for connecting the evaporatorand cartridge so that a predetermined rateof heat transfer between theevaporator and cartridge may take -place.' An additional object is todevise a mounting, of the character described,

which may be adjusted so thatsubstantially the same mounting may be usedfor refrigerators and evaporators of difierent sizes and capacities.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 isa front View of an evapoiator,

showing a thermostatic control with its cartridge mounted upon theevaporator with the improved bracket.

Figure 2 is a detail of the bracket itself. Referring to the drawing; Anevaporator of the usual type is shown and'comprises a header, or gaschamber 1,

with depending duct loops 2. Loops 2 inclose a .freezing chamber inwhich are disposed trays 3 for freezing ice or similar purposes. As iswell known, the complete evaporator is disposed inside, of a heatinsulated container and is adapted to chill the air therein.

A thermostatic refrigerator control is connected by a length of flexiblepiping 5, to a.

cartridge 6, containing any suitable volatile liquid, such as compressedsulphur dioxide.

In order to suitably support cartridge 6 in desired heat conductingrelation to the evaporator, a bracket, generally designated as 10, isprovided. This bracket, which may be made out of one piece of sheetmetal, comprises a substantially elongated mounting portion 11, having asimilar portion 12 joined thereto at one edge, and at right anglesthereto. Portion 12, which is also referred to as the heat conductingportion, has its sides extended toit the evaporator, heat conductingportion 12 I 19' metal discs may be inserted until the desired haspunched out therein a plurality of knockouts 20. A predetermined numberof these knock-outs'may be very easily removed leaving circularapertures and resulting in a 1? decrease in the amount of metal joiningmounting portion 11 and clips 14 and 15 of the entire bracket. If forsome reason a change is desired after the installation of the bracket,more knock-outs may be removed or rate of heat transfer is effected. 7

It is evident that by virtue of thelarge exposed surface of cartridge 6,the temperature of the air in the refrigeratingcompartment will have asubstantialefiect upon the pressure developed Within the thermostaticcontrol. Obviously this eiiect may be varied by suitably changing theheat conducting 1 properties of the bracket, as Well as the exposurofthe cartridge to the air. I

I claim: 1 1. Ajbracket for mounting 'a temperature controlmember to thecooling unit of a re I frigerator comprising a mounting portion formountin said bracket on said cooling unit, a clamping portion forfixedly retaining said heat control member and a heat cohducting portionjoining said two portions, said heat conducting portion having removable-means for readily varying the amount of metal joiningsaid two portionsand thereby varying the heat transfer therebetween.

2. A bracket adapted to maintain a heat control member in predeterminedrelation to a refrigerator evaporator comprising a strip of metal havinga plurality of knock-outs therein for ready removal, and means on opposite sides of said strip for mounting said strip on said evaporatorand mounting said heat control member on said strip.

3. A bracket for maintaining a heat controt member and evaporator indesired heat conducting relationship to each other, comprising a singlepiece of stamped metal having one end thereof serving as a mountingportion fonmounting said bracket on said evaporator, the other endformed as a m'ount ing portion for maintaining said heat .control rmember and an, intermediate heat conducting portion Joining said twoportions and having a plurality of knock 'outs cut therein where- Z byany desired number of said knock-outs may he removed to alter the heatconducting r properties of said intermediate portion. 4. A bracket formounting a heat control 5 member on an evaporator, comprising a singlepiece ofstamped metal, bent to form a U shape, and a plurality ofknock-outs punched in the intermediategisection of the strip, wherebythe heat conducting property of said center portion may be readilyadjusted i In testimony whereof he afixes his signature.

a i FRED H. OSBORNE.

